I. rə̇ˈlaps, rēˈ-, ˈrēˌl- noun
Etymology: Latin relapsus, past participle of relabi to slide back, sink back, relapse, from re- + labi to slide, glide, fall — more at sleep
1. : the act or fact of backsliding, becoming worse, or subsiding
relapse into barbarism
relapse of the stock market
2. : a recurrence of illness ; especially : recurrence of symptoms of a disease after a prolonged abatement — compare recrudescence
II. rə̇ˈlaps, rēˈ- intransitive verb
Etymology: Latin relapsus, past participle of relabi
1. : to slip or fall back into a former state (as of illness, vice) after a change for the better
he relapsed when allowed out of bed
reformed drunkards often relapse
2. : sink , subside , lapse
relapsed into obscurity
3. obsolete : to fall away : withdraw
relapse into silence
4. : to fall back into paganism, evil, error, heresy, or unbelief : backslide
III. noun
Etymology: Latin relapsus, past participle of relabi
: one who has relapsed : backslider